PSYC 215 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Prosocial Behavior, Bsc Young Boys, Cuban Missile Crisis

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 215
• Professor: John Lydon

Document Summary

Explanations for aggression depend on whether it was hostile or instrumental aggression. Hostile aggression = behavior intended to harm another - physically or psychologically - motivated by feelings of anger & hostility. Instrumental aggression = behavior intended to harm another in the service of motives other than pure hostility (i. e. attract attention, acquire wealth, advance pol. /social causes, gain status). Many acts of aggression involve a mix of the 2 styles i. e. do aggressive act (punch) for instrumental reasons. Consider situational factors to understand why aggression occurs - not only ppl"s personal tendencies. I. e. certain genes may predispose ppl to aggression but they"re only activated in specific circumstances. Anger raises body temperature bc of the increase of blood distribution in the body. Early 19th c. : violent crime rates higher in southern france & italy than in northern parts of the countries. Craig anderson - evidence that higher-than-normal temp. ass. w/ increase in aggression: Higher rates of violent crimes in hotter regions.